POLICE have confirmed that five persons were killed during a shootout between gunmen and a member of the security forces this afternoon.

Police report that three gunmen boarded a public passenger vehicle on Half-Way-Tree Road in St Andrew about 1:10 pm and commandeered the bus to Grove Road where they began to abuse and rob passengers.

During the robbery the lawman confronted the gunmen and a shootout ensued. During the shootout four persons were killed, including one gunmen, two males and one female.

A child was also shot and injured.

Police patrols arrived at the scene and challenged the two remaining criminals who attempted to escape.

The criminals were intercepted and another of the gunmen was cut down in the Kencot Gully.

Two guns, a 9 mm pistol and a .38 revolver were seized.